THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES The Mot4ntainy Singer By SEOSAMH AfAcCATHMHAO/L BOSTON THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY I919 Copyright, ipip, by The Four Seas Company The Four Seas Press Boston, Mass., U. S. A. A Line's A Speech A lute s a speech; So here's a line To say this pedlar's pack Of rnitie Is not a boon — But a journey through Mount amy places. Ever in vievj Of the sea and the fields, IVith the rough ivind Bloiuing over the leagues Behind! 626125 Contents page I AM THE MOUNT AINY SINGER 1 \ WHEN ROOKS FLY HOMEWARD 13 1 SPIN MY GOLDEN WEB 14 CHERRY VALLEY 15 DARKNESS 16 MY FIDIL IS SINGING 17 THE GOAT-DEALER 18 WHY CRUSH THE CLARET ROSE 19 LAMENT OF PADRAIC MOR CRUIMIN OVER HIS SONS 20 TO A TOWN GIRL 23 A MARCH MOON 24 A THOUSAND FEET UP 25 THE DARK 26 REYNARDINE 28 SNOW 29 I AM THE GILLY OF CHRIST 30 GO, PLOUGHMAN, PLOUGH 32 GO. REAPER 33 THE GOOD PEOPLE 34 THE STORM IS STILL. THE RAIN HATH CEASED 35 SCARE-THE-CROWS 36 A CRADLE-SONG 37 TWINE THE MAZES THRO' AND THRO' 39 A FIGHTING MAN 40 MY MOTHER HAS A WEE RED SHOE Al fagc BY A WONDROUS MYSTERY 44 I GATHER THREE EARS OF CORN 4fr THE TINKERS 48 AS I CAME OVER THE GREY. GREY HILLS 49 A NORTHERN LOVE-SONG 50 TO THE GOLDEN EAGLE 51 A PROPHECY 52 1 MET A WALKING-MAN 54 THE NINEPENNY FIDIL 55- GRASSLANDS ARE FAIR 57 WINTER SONG 58- I FOLLOW A STAR 59 THE SILENCE OF UNLABOURED FIELDS 60- THE BEGGAR'S WAKE 61- THE BESOM-MAN 67 ■ EVERY SHUILER IS CHRIST 70 I WISH AND I WISH 7 J I AM THE MAN-CHILD 12 FRAGMENT 74 AT THE WHITENING OF THE DAWN 75 WHO ARE MY FRIENDS 76 GLORIOUS CHILD-BEARER 77 CORONACH ' 78 TWILIGHT FALLEN 79 THE DAWN V/HITENE3S 80 THE DV/ARF 81 1 SEE ALL LOVE IN LOWLY THINGS 8> TIS PRETTY TAE BE IN BAILE-LIOSAN 84 fage CIARAN. MASTER OF HORSES AND LAND 86 DEEP WAYS AND DRIPPING BOUGHS 67 NIGHT. AND 1 TRAVELLING ^ 68 NIGHT PIECE ' 89 AT MORNING TIDE ^0 THE MAY-FIRE 91 I LOVE THE DIN OF BEATING DRUMS 93 THREE COLTS EXERCISING IN A SIX-ACRE 94 THE NATURAL 95^ ON THE TOP-STONE 96 THE WOMEN AT THEIR DOORS 97 MY LITTLE DARK LOVE 99 I HEARD A PIPER PIPING 101 THE CLOUDS GO BY AND BY 102 DAVY DAW 103 BLACK SILE OF THE SILVER EYE 107 A SHEEPDOG BARKS ON THE MOUNTAIN 109 DEAD OAKLEAVES EVER YV/HERE 110 A NIGHT PRAYER 1 1 1 1 AM THE MOUNTAINY SINGER 112 THE RAINBOW SPANNING A PLANET SHOWER 113 I WILL GO WITH MY FATHER A-PLOUGHING 1 14 THE SHINING SPACES OF THE SOUTH 1 1 6 LIKE A TUFT OF CEANABHAN 1 1 7 THE HERB-LEECH 118 WHO BLTyS LAND 120 THE POET LOOSED A WINGED SONG 12i SIC TRANSIT 123- The Mountainy Singer / Am the Moiaitainy Singer I am tKe mountainy singer — Tke voice of tne J)easant s dream. Tlic cry oi tne wind on tne wooded nil', TKe leaf) of tKe fisK m tKe stream. Quiet and love I sing — TKe earn on tKe mountain crest, TKe cailm in Ker lover s arms. TKe cKild at its motKer s treast. Beauty end f)cace 1 sing — TKe iire on tKe ot)en KeartK, TKe cailleacK sf)]nning at Ker wKeel, TKe f)lougK m tKe broken eartK. Travail and fjam I sing — TKe bride on tKe cKildmg bed. TKe darlc man laboring at Kis rKymes, TKe ewe in tKe lembmg sKed. Sorrow and deatK I sing — TKe canker come on tKe corn, 11 1 ke nsner lost in tke mountain lock, Tke cry at tke moutk of morn. No otker life I sing. For I am 8f>rung of tke stock 1 kat broke tke killy land for kread. And kuilt tke nest in tke rock! 12 When Rooks Fly Momeward When rooks fly komevvard Ana snaaows fall. vVnen roses fold On the nay-yard wall, Wnen Llmd motks flutter J3y door and tree, J. Ken comes the quiet Of Christ to me. W^nen stars look out On tKe Ckildren's Patk And grey mists gatker On earn and ratk. VVken nigkt is one vVitk tke brooding sea. 1 ken comes tke quiet Of Ckrist to me. 13 / spin My Golden Web I st)in my golden wet m the sun: Tke ckerries trcmtle. tke ligkt is done. A. suJden wind sweeps over the bay. And carries my golden web away ! 14 1 Cherry Valley In CKerry Valley tKe ekerries tlow: The valley JjatKs are wKite as snow. And in tkeir time witk clusters red 1 ke scented kougks are crimsoned. Even now tke moon is looking tkrougk Tke glimmer of tke koney dew. A petal tremkles to tke grass, rke feet of fairies f)as8 and J)ass. By thern, I know, all keauty comes 1 o me, a kakitan of slums. I sing no rune. I say no line: Tke gift of second sigkt is mine ! 15 Darkness DarKiiess. I stoj) to watch a star snme m tne DOg-nole — A. star no longer, but a silver ribbon of lignt. I look at it, and f)ass on. 16 My Fiddle is Singing My fiddle is singing Into tne air ; Tne wind is stirring. The moon is lair. A shadow wanders Along tne road; It stof>s to listen. And drops its load. Dreams for a sf)ace lJ|)on the moon, Tnen J>asses, nummmg My mountain tune. 17 The Goat Dealer Did you see tne goat-aealer All m nis jacket-green? I met nim on tne rocKy road Xwixt tnis ana Baile-aoinn. A nunarea nannies ran berore. Ana a sne-aes Denma. Tnen tne old wanderer nimselr. Burnt red witn sun and wind. He gave me tne time-a-day And doitered over tne Kill. Wallo{)ing kis gay asnj)lant And snouting nis nil, I tKmk I hear Kim yet. TKo it s a giant s cry From wKere I Kailed Kim nrst. Standing uj) to tKe sKy. Is tKat Puck Green I see beyond? It is, and tKe stir is tKere. By tKe Koly Kat, I Know tKen — He's making for Puck Fair! 18 Why Crush the Claret Rose Wky crusK tKe claret rose Tliat Wows So rarely on the tree? WKerefore tke enmity, dear girl. Betwixt tke rose and thee? Art tkou not fair enougk Witk tkat dark keauty given tkee. Tkat tkou must crusk tke rose Tkat klows So rarely on tke tree! 19 Lament of Padraic Mor mac Cruimin over his Sons 1 am Paaraic iVIor mac Cruimm. Son of Domknall of tlie Skroud, 1 ij)er, like my kind Lcfore me. To the nousenold of Macleod. Death IS m the seed of Cruimin— All my music is a wail; Early graves await the f>oets And the fujbers of tne Gael. Samhain gleans tixQ golden karvests Duly m tneir tide and time. But my Dody s fruit is blasted Barely J>ast tne Bealtem Jjrime. Cetnlcnn claims the fairest iigliters ritly for ner own, ner own, But my seven sons are stricken Where no tattle-f i^e is blown. Flowers of tlie forest fallen On f be sliding summ.er stream— 20 Lignt and liie and love are witn me. Then are vanished into dream. Berried DraRcncs or tne rowan Rined in tne wizard wind- Clan and generation leave me, Lonely on the heath behind. Who will soothe a father s sorrow When his seven sons are gone? >Vho will watch him in his sleefimg ( Who will walte him at the dawn? Seven sons are taken from me In the eomf)ass of a year; Every bone is hose within me. All my blood is w^hite with fear. Seven youths of brawn and beauty Movilder m their mountain bed, \Jp m storied Inis-Scathach Wkere their fathers reaf.ed their bread. Nevermore ufson the mountain. Nevermore m fair or field. 21 ohall ye see tnc seven cnam|)ion8 Of the silver-mantled sKield. I will play tlie "Cumhadh na Cloinne," Wildest of tke rowtk of tunes Gatnered ty tke love of mortal t rom tne olden druid runes. Wail ye ! NigKt is on tke water ; Wind and wave are roaring loud — Caotne for tke fallen ckildren Q)i tke pipQT of MacLeod. 22 To A Town Girl Violet mystery. Ringleted gold. Wkiteness of wkiteness, WKerefore so cold? Silent you sit there- Spirit and mould- Darkening tke dream Tkat must never be told! 2a A March Moon A. iVIarcn moon Over the mountain crest, Ceanabhcn blowing: rier neck and breast. Arbutus berries On the tree bead; Her moutb oi {>assion. i^ewy and red. Cold as cold And hot as kot, one loves me .... And Sne loves me not ! 24 A Thousand Feet Up A thousand reet uj) : twilight. Westwaras, a clum|) or nr-trces silnouetted against a bank or blvie cumulus cloua; 1 nc June afterglow like a sea behma. 1 lie movintain trail, white ana clear wliere numan leet nave worn it. zigzagging nighcr ana nigner till it loses itselr m tne soutnern skyline. A. {)atcn of young corn to my rignt nana, swaying and swaying continuously, tno hardly an air stirs. A. lalcon wheeling oveiheed. Tk le moon rising. 1 he dam|) smell of the nignt m my nostrils. kills, O kills. To you I lift mine eyes ! 1 kneel down and kiss tke grass under my izot. Tke sense of tke mystery and infinity of tkmgs over- wkelms me. annikilates me almost. 1 kneel down, and silentiy worskij). 25 The Dark This IS tke darlc. This IB the dream that came of the dark. This 18 the dreamer who dreamed the dream that came of the dark. 1 his is the look the dreamer looked who dreamed the dream that came of the dark. This IS the love that followed the look the dreamer looked who dreamed the dream that came of the dark. This is the Lreast that fired the love that followed the look the dreamer looked who dreamed the dream that came of the dark. This IS the song was made to the hreast that fired the love that followed the look the dreamer looked who dreamed the dream that came of the dark. This is the sword that tracked the song was made to the hreast that fired the love that 26 followed tne look tne dreamer looked wno dreamed tne dream that came of tne dark. This IS the rof>e that swung tne sword that tracked the song was made to tne Lreast tnat nred tne love that followed tne look tne dreamer looked who dreamed the dream that came of the dark. Tkis IS the dark that buried the roJ)e that swung the sword that tracked the song was made to the breast that nred the love that followed the look the dreamer looked who dreamed the dream that came of the dark. TKis is the dark, indeed! 27 Reynardine if by chance you look lor me p8rnaj)s you 11 not me Und, Tor I'll De in my castle — Enquire lor Reynarame! bun ana dark he courted me — ills eyes were red as wme: ixe tooK me for nis Icman, Did my sweet Reynardine. bun and dark the gay norn dIow^s, ike beagles run like wind: 1 ney know not where lie narbours. The lairy Reynardine. If oy chance you look for me Pernaf)S you ll not me nnd. For I 11 DC in my castle— Enquire for Reynardine! 28 Snow Hills tnat were aark At 8j)aring-time last nignt Now m the aawn-rmg Glimmer cold ana white. 29 I am the Gilly of Christ 1 am the gilly of Christ, TKe mate of Mary s Son ; I run tne roads at seeding time. And wnen the narvest s done. I slee|> among tne nills, Tne neatner is my bed ; I dif) the termon-well for drinlf. And |)ull trie sloe for oread. No eye has ever seen me, Bvit sncf)nerds near me {)as6. Singing at fall of even Along tne snadowed grass. The Deetle is my oellman, Tne meadow-iire my guide. The bee and bat my ambling nags vVhen I have need to ride. All know me only tne Stranger, VV no sits on the Saxon s hcigkt ; 30 He burned the tacacK s little Kouse On last Saint Brigid s NigKt. lie su|)s on silver aisnes. Ana arinks in a golden Korn, out he will wake a w^iser man U|)on the Judgment Morn! I am tne Gilly or Christ, The mate of Mary s Son ; I run the roads at seeding time. And when the harvest s done. The seed I sow is lucky. The corn I reaj> is red. And whoso sings the Gill s Rann vVill never cry for bread. 31 Go^ Ploughman^ Plough Go, J)lougkman, t)lougn The mearing lanas. The meadow lanas, Tne mountain lands: All life IS La re Beneath your share. All love IS m your lusty hands. U J), horses, now ! And straight and true Let every brohen lurrow^ run ; The strength you sweat Shall blossom yet In golden glory to the sun. 32 Go, Reaper Go, rcaj)er. Oj)eea ana reaf), Cjo take tne harvest Of tlie t)lougli : The wheat is standing Jjroaa ana aeef), 1 ne barley glumes Are golden now. L/abor IS Kara, But it endures JLiKe love : Tne land is yours : Cjo reaj) the lire It gives you now. O sunbrowned master Oi tke t)lougk ! 33 The Good People 1 ne millway f)atn Iooks like a wraith, Xne lock is olack as ink. Ana silently m stream ana sky Xne stars oegm to blink. I see tnem f)ass along the grass vVith slow ana solemn tread: Aoibneall, tneir queen, is in between — A corf>se is at their head ! Xney wander on with faces wan. And dirges sad as wind. I know not. but it may be tnat Tne dead s oi numan kind. 34 The Storm is Still, The Rain hath Ceased TKe storm is still, the rain nath ccasea To vex tKe teauty or the east : A linnet signetK m tne wooa His Kermit song or gratitude. So skall I sing wnen lire is done To greet tKe glory of the sun; And cloud find star and stream and sea SKall dance for very ecstasy ! 35 Scare-the- Crows 1 wojjence a day for scaring crowds— Xno tne rain beats ana tne wind blows ! 1 he scnolars thmK I ve little -wit. But. Cjod ! I ve got my snare or it. Vvny does tne gorbing land-snark Leave J)lougned rigs for tne green f)arlc ? vVnere little s to nnd, and nothing s to eat But rabbits droJ)t)ing8 and f)Keasants meat. He Knows better tnan come my way Between tne moutn and tne tail oi day. For one lick of my nurding wattle Would lay nim out like a snowman s bottle ! And tne thoughts that rise in my crazed head When the cloud is low and the wind s dead. Where you see only clay and stones I see swords and blanching bones Bvit I 11 leave you now. — it s gone six. And the smoke is curling over the ricks. And it s hardly like that the land-shark W^ill trouble the furrows after dark. 36 A Cradle Song SleeJ), wnite love, slecf>, A cedarn cradle Kolas tnee. And twilight, like a silver-woven coverlid. Enfolds tnee. Moon and star kee^ cnarmed watcn vJl^on tny lying ; Water f)lovers tnro tlie dusk Are tremulously crying. SleeJ), w^nite love mine. Till day doth snme. Sleef). white love, sleef). Tne daylight wanes, and deef)er Gathers tne blue darkness O er tne cradle of the slee|)Gr. Cliodnna s curacns, carmine-oared. On Loch-da-linn are gleaming ; Blind oats nutter tnro tne nignt. And carrion birds are screaming. Sleef), wnite love mine. Till day dotk snine. 37 Sleef), wkite love, sleej), The holy mothers, Anne ana Mary, Sit nign m heaven, dreaming On trie seven ends of Eire. Brigid sits beside them, St)inning lamD-wnitc wool on whorls. Singing fragrant songs of love Xo little naKed toys and girls. Sleef>, white love mine. Till day doth shine. 38 Twine the Mazes thro" and thrd^ Twine tKe mazes thro ana tnro Over teach ana margent f»ale ; Not a tawn apjjears in view. Not a sail ! Round about! In ana out ! Tkro tke stones ana sandy bars To tke music of tne stars ! Tke asteroidal nre tnat dances Nigktly in tke nortkern blue. Tke brigktest of tke boreal lances. Dances not so ligkt as you, Cliodkna ! Dances not so ligkt as you. 39 A Fighting-Man A ngnting-man he was. Guts ana soul ; His blooa was not ana red As tnat on Cam s nand-towel, A eo{)f)er-SKinnea six-iooter. Hewn out or the rock. VVno would stand uf) against His nammer-KnocK? Not a sinner — No, and not one dared ! Giants snowed clean neels Wnen nis arm was Lared. I ve seen nim swing an anvil Fifty feet. Break a tough in two. And tear a twisted sneet. And tne music or nis roar — L/ike oaks m tnunder cleaving ; 40 Lij^s foaming red frotn. And flanks heaving. God ! a goodly man, A Gael, the last Of tliose tliat stood witK Dan On MullacK-Maist ! 41 My Mother has a Wee Red Shoe My motlier lias a wee red snoe — Sne Lovaglit it off a tacacn-man; And all tlie neigKtors say it s true He stole it off a Leatk-trogan. Bacacn-man. Dacacn-man. Wit ere did you get it? Faitk now, says ne. In my leatner wallet ! My father nas an arrow-head — He Legged it off J)oor Peig na Blath ; And Mor. tke talkmg-woman, said SKe found it m a fairy ratn. Peig na BlatK, Peig na Blatk, Wkere did you get it ; Faitk now, said ske. In my wincey jacket! 42 My trotKer kas a cof)f)er t)ot — He tryst it wi a snuiler-man ; And gossif) says it s like as not He trujff d it from a Clotnair-eeann. Sliuiler-nian, snuiler-man, WKere did you get it? FaitK now. says he. In my oreecnes f)ocKet ! 43 By a JVondrous Mystery By a wondrous mystery Cnrist of Mary s fair boay Uj)on a miaale winter s morn. Between the tides of nignt ana day. In Ara s Koly lele was born. Mary went uJ)on ner knee Travailing m ecstasy. And Brigid, mistress of the birtn. Full reverently and tenderly Laid tke cKild uf»on the eartn. Tncn tne dark-eyed rose did blow. And rivers leajied from out the snow. Earth grew lyrical : the grass. As tne lignt w^inds cnanced to J)a8S— Inan magian music more J)roiound— Murmured in a maze of sound. vVnitc incense rose uf>on tne nills As from a thousand thuriDles, And m tKe cast a seven-rayed star Proclaimed tne news to near and far. 44 Tne 8ne;^nerd danced, the gilly ran. 1 ne Doatman left nis euraenan; Tne King came riding on the wind To oner gifts of coin and kind; The druid droJ)f)ed nis ognam wand. And said, "Another day s at Kand, A newer dawn is in tne sky: I J)ut my w^itncred 8af)ling by. The druid Christ has taken breath 1 o sing the runes of life and death. 45 / Gather Three Ears of Corn I gather tnree ears or corn. And tlie Black Earl from over tne sea Sails across in nis silver shij)s. And takes two out of tne tnree. I mignt Duila a house on tne nill Ana a barn of tne 8j)eckly stone. And tell my little stocking of gold. If the Earl would let me alone. But Ke nas no thougnt for me — Only tne tnougnt of his snare. And t\ve softness of tne linsey snifts His lazy daugnters wear. Tnere is a God in heaven. And angels, score on score, VVho will not see my heartnstone cold Because I m crazed and {)Oor. 46 My cKiUer Kavc my blood. AnJ wKen tKey get tKeir Learde TKey wil] not be content to run As gillics to tkeir kerds! Tne day will come, maybe. When we can nave our own. And tke Black Earl will come to us Begging tKe tacacn s Lone. 47 The Tinkers "One ciarog tnows anotner ciarog, And wky sliouldn 1 1 tnow you, you rogue? "Tliey say a stroller will never f)air Excef)t witn one of nis kind ana care . . . So talked two tinkers pvom in the snough — And tken. as tKe fun got a trifle rougn. TKey flitted: ke witk kis corn-straw bass. Ske witk ker load of tin and brass : As mad a matck as you would see In a twelvemontk s ride tkro Ckristendie. He roared — tkey kotk were drunk as kell: Ske danced, and danced it migkty well ! I could kave eyed tkem longer, but Tkey staggered for tke Quarry Cut : Tkat kalf-JDerck seemed to trouble tkem more Tkan all tke leagues tkey d tram{)ed before. Some 11 drink at tke fair tke morrow. And some 11 suj) witk tke st)Oon of sorrow; But wketker they 'II get as far as Droickid Tke nigkt — well, wko knows tkat but (jod? 48 As I Came Over the Grey, Grey Hills As I came over the grey, grey mils Ana over tne grey, grey water, I saw tne gilly leading on. And the wnite Christ following after. vVhere and wnere does tne gilly lead? And wnere is tne white Cnrist faring? Tkey ve travelled tne four grey sounds of Ore, And tlie four grey seas of Eirinn. TKe moon it set and the wind s away. And tlie song in tne grass is dying. And a silver cloud on tne silent sea Like a shrouding sheet is lying. But Christ and the gilly will follow on Till tKe ring in tne east is snowing. And the awny corn is red on tne nills. And tke golden ligKt is glowing ! 49 A Northern Love- Song Brigiam Ban or the Iint-wnitc locks, Wkat was it gave you that flaxen hair. Long as tne summer neatn in tne rocks: Wkat was it gave you tnose eyes ox nrc. LiJ)s so waxen ana cheek so wan? Tell me. tell me, Brigiain Ban, Little wnite oriae of my neart s desire. Was it tne Good PeoJ)le stole you away. Little wKite snangeling. Brigidm Banf Carried you on in tne ring or tne dawn. Laid like a queen on ner J)ur|)le car. Carried j'^ou Lack twixt tne nignt and tne day ; Gave you that fortune of flaxen hair. Gave you tnose eyes of wandering nre. Lit at the wheel of tne soutnern star; Gave you that look so far away, Li\p so waxen and cheek so wan? Tell me, tell me. Brigidin Ban. Little white bride of my neart s desire. 50 To The Golden Eagle Wan Jerer of tKe mountain. Winger of tlie Llue, From tkis stormy rock I send my love to you. Take me for your lover. Dark and fierce and true- Wanderer of tKe mountain. Winger of tke tlue! 51 A Prophecy "rke loins of tke GallJackt bnalJ witlier like grass — Strange words I Keard said At the fair or Dun-eas. "A. bard snail be Lorn Or the seed of tke folic, lo breflK witk kis singing 1 ke bond and tke yoke. "A sword, wkite as askes, Skall fall from tke sky. To rise, red as Llood. On tke ekarge and tke cry. "Stark J)if)ers skall blow. Stout drummers skall keat. And tke skout of tke nortk Skall be keard m tke street. "Tke strong skall go down. And tke weak skall J)revail, 52 And a glory snail sit On tne sign of the (jaoanal. "Then Emer snail come In good time by ner own. And a man oi tne |)eof>le bnall sf>eaK from tne tnrone. Strange words I neard seid At tne Fair of Dun-eas — "Tne Gaodnaldaent shall live. The Galldacnt snail J)ass ! 53 I Met a JValking-Man I met a walking-man; His head was old and grey. I gave him what I nad To erutcn him on nis way. The man was Mary s Son, I 11 swear; A glory trcmtled in his nair! Ana since tnat blessed day I ve never Known the J)incn: I J)lough a Droad townland. And dig a rivcr-incn ; And on my heartn tne nre is bngnt For all that walk ty day or nignt. 54 The Ninepenny Fidil My fatlicr and motlicr were Irisn, And I am Irisn too: I bougkt a wee iidil for ninef)ence. And it IS Irisn, too. I'm uf) in tKe morning early To meet tne dawn or day. And to tke ImtwKite 8 l)if)ing Tne many s tne tune I t>lay. One |)leasant eve in June time I met a locKrie-man : His face and hands were weazen, His Keigkt WQS not a sj)an. He toor d me for my ndil— "You Icnow, says ne, "like you. My fatKer and motner were Irisn, And I am Irish, too! He took my wee red ndil. And sucn a tune ne turned — TKe Glaise in it whisj)ered, 55 Tne Lionan in it m urned. Says he, "My laa, you re lucky— I wish t I was like you : You re lucky in your Dirtn-star, Ana in your nail, too! He gave me back my nail. My fidil-stick, also. And ste|)J)ing like a mayboy, ITe jumf)ea tne Leargaian ICnowe. I never saw him after. Nor met nis gentle kind ; But, w^niles. I tnink I hear nim A-wlieening in the wind ! My latner and mother were Irish, And I am Insn, too: I bought a w^ce ndil for ninefence. And it 18 Irish, too. I m uf) in the morning early To meet tne dawn of day. And to tne lintwhite s f)if)ing Tke many s tne tune I Jilay. 56 Grasslands Are Fair (jrasslanas are fair, Pjougnlanas are rare. Cjrasslanas are lonely, Plougnlanas are comely. Grasslands breed cattle, Ploughlands feed |)eo|)le. Grasslands are not wrougnt, Ploughlands swell witK tkought. 57 Winter Song Twould skin a lairy It IS so airy. Ana trie snow it nif>s so cola; one^nera ana squire Sit by tne nre. Trie sneej) are in the fola. You nave your wish — A. reeking aisn. Ana ruDolc walls about ; So t>ity tne f)Oor Tnat nave no door Xo keef) tne winter out! 58 / Follow a Star I follow a star Burning aec|) in tne blue. A sign on the hills Lit for me ana for you! Moon-red is the star, Halo-nngea like a rood, CKrist s heart m its heart set. Streaming witn olooa. Follow the gilly Beyond to tne west: He leads wkere tke Cnrist lies On Mary s white breast. King. f)riest and f)rof)het — A cKild. and no more — Adonai tKe Maker ! Come, let us adore. 59 The Silence of Unlaboured fields TKe silence of unlaoourea nelas Lies like a judgment on the air: A kuman voice is never heard: Tke sigkmg grass is everywhere — TKe sigking grass, tke skadowed sky, Tke cattle crying wearily! Wkcre are tke lowland t)eo|)le gone ? Wkere are tke sun-dark faces now? Tke love tkat ke^t tke quiet keartk, Tke strengtk tkat keld tke sj)eeding {)lougk? Grasslands and lowing kerds are good. But tetter kuman nesk and blood ! 60 The Beggar's Wake 1 watcned at a teggar s wake In the Kills of Bearra-Larr, And the old men were telling stories Of Troy and tke Trojan war. And a nicKering nre of bog-deal Burned on the oJ)en Keartli, And the nignt-wmd roared m tKe ekimney. And darkness was over tke eartk. And Tearlack Ban MacGiolla, Tke |jij)er of Gort, was tkere. And ke sat and ke dreamed af)art In tke arms of a sugan ckair. And sudden ke woke from kis dream Like a dream-fngktened ckild. And kis lif)s were J)ale and tremkling, And kis eyes were wild. 61 And ke stood straight xip, and ne cried, Witn a wave of nis witnered nand, " TKe days of the grasf)ing stranger Shall be few m tne land ! ** The serif) of nis doom is written, The thread of nis snroud is sf)un ; The net of nis strength is broken, Tne tide of his life is run. TKen ne sank to nis seat like a stone. And the w^atcners stared agnast. And tney crossed tnemselves for fear As the comn cart went f)ast. " At t\xe tattle of Gleann-mviic-duibn TKe fate the Jjoets foretold Shall fall on the neck of tne stranger. And redden tne sj)lasny mould. 62 " 1 ne bagmen carry tne story 1 ne circuit of Irelana round. And tney sing it at fair and hurling From Edair to Aeaill Sound. ** And the folk ref)eat it over About tne winter fires, 1 ill tne heart of eacn one listening Is burning witK fierce desires. ** In tne Glen of tKe Bristleless Boar They say the battle shall be. Where Breiffne s iron mountains Look on the Western sea. *' In the Glen of the Pig of Diarmad. On Gulban s hither side. The battle shall be broken About the Samham tide. " Forth from the ancient hills. With war-cries strident and loud. The f)eof)le shall march at daybreak. Massed in a clamorous crowd. 63 *' War-J)if)es sliall scream and cry, AnJ Lattle-banners sKall wave. Ana every stone on Gultan Skall mark a hero s grave. " Tke norses snail wade to tneir nougns In rivers of smoking Llooa, Charging thro nea{)S of corf)ses Scattered m wnmny and wood. " TKe girths shall rot from their Lellies After the Lattle is done. For lack of a nand to undo them And hide tnem out of tne sun. " It snail not be tne tattle Between tne folk and the Sidhe At tne raj)e of a bride from her ted Or a tate from its mother s knee. ** It snail not te tke tattle Between tne wnite nosts nymg And the snriekmg devils of tell For a Jjriest at the fomt of dying. 64 " It sKall not te in tlie battle Between tne sun ana tne leaves. Between tne winter ana summer. Between the storm ana the sheaves. But a tattle to doom ana aeath Between tne Gael ana the Gall. Between tne sword oi lignt And tne shield or darkness and tnrall. " And the Gael snail nave the mastery Alter a month or days. And tne lakes of tne west shall cry. And tne hills or tne north shall Llaze. " And tne neck of the fair-naired Gall Shall be as a stool for tne feet \Ji Ciaran, cnief of tne Gael. Sitting in Emer s seat ! — 65 At tKis MacGiolla fainted. Tearing nis yellow hair. Ana tne young men cursed tlie stranger. Ana the old men moutlied a prayer. For tkey knew tKe day would come. As sure as tne {>if)er said, When many loves would he parted. And many graves would te red. And tne wake broke up m tumult. And the women were left alone. Keening over tne beggar Tnat died at Gotnat s Stone. 66 The Besom-Man Die on beauty s t)rocreant vine, Ine reddest a{)f)le oi mgatkenng : Perfect in form, of J)eerless strength, and free As Caoilte wnen ne roamed tke J)rimal Kills (Tnose *' wildernesses rich witk liberty ). A hero tnat tne snocks of ckanee migkt strike. But never tame, a giant druid-ringed, A god-like savage of the golden days Ere service shackled action : free itself As Oism when he strayed in Doire-cairn, His hand uf)on tne mountain top, Kis (eet Fixt in the flowing sea, Kis Koly kead Crowned ty a fligkt of birds, acclaiming kim Tke singer of tke dawn. 73 Fragment I stanJ uJ)on tne summit now : TKe falcon, flying from tne neatn. Trails darWy o er tke mountain brow And drof)S into tlie gloom teneatn. Nigkt falls, and witK it comes tke wind Tkat blew on Fionn time out of mincl, Wben weary of love-feasts ana wars He left kis comraaes all benma To dream u|)on the quiet stars. Here on tke lonely mountain neignt Is ecstasy and living lignt — « Tke living inner ligKt tkat burns Witb magic caugKt from tbose wKite urns Tkat wander tkro' tke trackless blue Forever, toucking tkose tkey know Witk beauty, and tke tkmgs tkat come Of beauty. Eartk lies at my feet, A dumb, vast skadow, vast as dumb. 74 At the Whitening of the Dawn At the whitening of the aawn. As I came o er the winay water, I saw the salmon-nsher s daughter, Nuala ni Cholumain. Nuala ni Cholumain, Nuala ni ChoKimain, Palest lily or the aawn Is Nuala ni Cholumain. In the aarK of evendown I went o er the quiet water. Dreaming of the nsher s daughter And her tothy m the town. And I made this sim|)le rann Ere the whitening of the dawn, Singing to the beauty wan Of Nuala ni Cholumain. 7^ Who Are My Friends vVno are my xrienas, Faitkful and true f Wko but the stars That turn in the blue. VVno tut tne sun Tnat sinketn so red, Wno tut tne clay Tnat givetn me tread. Wko tut tte Kills. Wno tut tne sea, Wno tut tne nowers Ttat fold on the tree. WKo tut the motns Tnat nutter and J)ass. Who tut the lamts That cry in the grass. Wno tut the darlcness, Wno tut the rain, W^no tut tne grave, tne grave — All else arc vain ! All else are vain ! 76 O Glorious Childhearer O glorious cnilaDearer. O secret womb, O gilded tridechainDer, from wliicn hatn come the signtly Bridegroom fortn, O amber veil, TKou sittest in Keaven. tlic wnite love or tne Oael. Tky Kead is crowned with stars, thy radiant hair Shines like a river thro the twilight air; Thou walhest by trodden ways and trackless seas. Immaculate of man s innrmities. 77 Coronach Come, f)i{)es. sound A crooning coronacn rovincl. Till kill ana hollow glen ana shaaowed lake o erilow With welling music or our woe. Beat, beat, ye muriea arums, ye drones and cnanters wail, VVitn heartbreak of the baffled, battle-broken Gael. 1 he clay is deep on Ireland s breast : Her f)roud and bleeding neart is laid at last to rest. 1 o rest . . to rest ! 7% Twilight Fallen iwilight fallen white and cold, Cliila in cradle, lamt) m fold ; Glimmering tliro tke gKostly trees. Gremini and Pleiades. Wounds of Eloim, Weef) on me ! BlacK-wmged vamjiires flitting by. Curlews crying m tne sky ; Grey mists wreatking from the ground. Wra|>f)ing rath and burial mound. Wounds of Eloim, W^eef) on me ! Heard, like some sad Gaelic strain. Ocean s ancient voice in f)ain ; Darkness folding hill and wood. Sorrow drinking at my blood, W^ounds of Eloim, Wcejt) on me ! 79 The Dawn Whiteness 1 ne aawn wnitcness. A bank or slate-grey eloua lying heavily over it. The moon, like a nunted tning, arof)f)ing into the cloua. 80 The Dwarf Look at nim now, tne son. Ana the cnurchyara twist m nis foot. Standing there by his motner s door. As if nc had taken root! She crossed a grave, tney say. On a black Day m sj)ring. And bore Kim in tKe seventh montn — A f)oor, misshapen thing. Kneeling down m tne dark Slie travailed without a cry. And gave liim the mothering kiss Between tke earth and the sky. He licks cuckoo-sf>ittlc, they say. And eats tke dung of tke roads. Mocking tke journeymen As tkey pass by witk tkeir loads. 81 L/Ook at Ins little face — As grey as wool is grey — Ana tne cast m nis green eye. oo wild ana lar away. Does ne see Magn-meala ? is his oreatn human breatn ? Are nis tnougnts of the niaaen things Untoucnea oy time ana death ? rlangmg tnere by the naif-door. Dangling his devil s foot. StocK-still on the threshold. As if he had taken root ! 82 / See all Love in Lowly Things I see all love in lowly tnings. No less tKan m tKe lusts of kings : All beauty. sKa|)e and comeliness. All valour, strength and gentleness. All genius, wit ana holiness. Out of corruf)tion comes tne flower, TKe corn is kindred witK tKe clay : TKe f)lougK-Kand is a Kand of f)ower. Nobler tKan gold, brigKter tKan day. TKcn let tKe le{)er lift Kis Kead, TKe cri{)f)le dance. tKe caf)tive smg, TKe beggar reaf) and eat Kis bread — He is no baser tKan a king ! 83 ' Tis Pretty tae be in Bai/e-Liosan Tis pretty tae te in Baile-liosan, Tis J)retty tae te in green Magk-luan ; Tis J)rettier tae te m Newtownoreaa, Beekmg under tne eaves in June. TKe cummers are out wi their Knitting ana s{)inning, TKe tkrusK sings frae Kis crit on tne wa . And o er tlie wnite road tne clachan caddies Play at tneir marlies and goalmg-ba . O, fair are tne nelds o Baile-liosan, And fair are tne faes o green Magn-luan; Jjut fairer tne nowers o i\ewtownbreda, Vvet wi dew in tne eves o June. Tis {)leasant tae saunter trie claclian tnoro Wnen day sinks mellow o er Duonais nill. And feel tneir fragrance sae softly breatning rrae croft and causey and w^indow-sill. 84 O. Lrave are trie havifjns o Baile-hosan, And brave are tke lialJs o green Magh-luan; But traver tne names o iNewtownbreaa, Twined atout wi tne ^inks o June. And just as tke face is sae kindly witnovitcn, Tne neart witnm is as guid as gold — Wi new fair tallants and merry music, And cracks cam down frae tne days oi old. 1 IS J)retty tae Le in Baile-liosan, Tis {)retty tae be in green Magk-luan; Tis f)rcttier tae be m Newtownbreda, Beeking under the eaves in June. Tke cummers are out wi tkeir knitting and sj)inning, Tke tkrusk sings frae kis crib on tke wa , And o er tke w^kite road tke clackan caadies Play at tkeir marlies and goaling-ba . 85 Ciaran, the Master of Horses and Lands Ciaran, tKe master or norses ana lanas. Once Kad no more than the norn on nis nands. But Ciaran is nek now, and Ciaran is great. And rides witk tke air ox a squire of estate. O Ckrist ! and to see tke man uf> on tke back Of a tkorougkbred stallion, a Lay or a klack ! Tkere s not a korseoreeder from Banna to Laoi Can kandle tke snaffle so pretty as ke ! And Ciaran, for all. kas tke wit of a ckild, A keart just as soft, and an eye just as mild. No maker of kallads J)uts curse at kis door : He kandsels tke singer, and karbours tke ^oor. For Ciaran. tke master of korses and lands. Once kad no more tkan tke korn on kis kands. 86 Deep Ways and Dripping Boughs Decf) ways ana ari|)|)ing Dougns. 1 he fog lalling drearily : Cowhercls calling on their cows, Ana 1 crying wearily, Vv earily. wearily, out-a-aoor. Houseless, neartnless, coatless, kinalcss. Poorest of all tne wanaenng Jjoor. 1 am tne oeggar Christ — Cnrist tnat calmea trie castling flood ! Grose and tnorn nave not sumced To {)unisn me as you would ; But out-a-door in wind and ram. Houseless, heartless, coatless, kmdless. You keef) me wandering m f)ain. ^7 Night, and I Travelling Nigkt, and I travelling. An o|)en aoor oy the wayside. Throwing ovit a sliaft of warm yellow ligkt. A. whiTi or J)eat-smol<:e; A gleam of aeli on tne dresser witlim; A w^oman s voice crooning, as ii to a eliild. I ^ass on into tne darkness. 88 Night-piece Fill me, O stars. A.S with an omen tune. Look thro yovir cloudy oars, O summer moon; Look tnro . ana drencn in silver lignt My soul tnis night. O brier, encnantea arcam Or sea and sky. Of f)lougliland, meadow, stream. And twilignt loth to die. Of fire and dew — My soul is one witn you! 89 At Morning Tide At morning tide. Upon the nill or Sliabn-na-mBan, 1 saw tne aeaa Onrist glorinea ! His Doay, like tne risen sun, Was all too Drignt to look uf)on : The blue air burnea About nim : in his side And Kands and feet tkere snone (Thro stabs and gasnes gafiing wide) The golden glory or nis blood : Tne gilly stood Uf)on kis rigkt kand : at Kis reet Tke nsners. Peter, James and John, Knelt worsni{)f)ing VVitn outstretched arms, and eyes To neaven turned : And Maria, nis motner sweet, (Tlie f)artner of nis mysteries ), And Magdalen and Salome Came tnro tne doorway of tne day Behind nim. weef)ing. Tnen a cloud came o er My senses, and I saw^ and heard no more 90 The May-Fire Come away. O Maire Ban, Come away, come away Where tne heads of ceanahhau 1 remole in tne twilignt air. Ana tne rusnes noa ana sway, Ana no otner sound is neard LJut tne swaying of tne rusnes. And tne snouts from Croc-an-air, And tne singing of tne ndils. And tne laugning of tne dancers Round about tne yellow nre. And tne scream of the water-Lird. Come away, O life of me. O Done of me, O olood of me — Feilim has a tale to tell: He would own his love for tkee. Smitten first at Mvira s well, 13itten at tne JLammas J>attern, 91 By the tlessed Mvira s well. He would tell tnee. Maire Ban, How nis f)vilses leaf) ana thrill Quicker tkan tKc old men s ndils. Singing ovit from yonder nill. Come away, O heart s desire. From the ruddy-ieatured circle. From the story-telling circle. By the wreathing Bealtein nre. Come aw^ay, come away. Come away, O Maire Ban. ^Vhere the heads or ceanahhan Xremtlc m the twilight air. And the voice oi love is heard Whispering o er the tending rushes Like a hidden, holy hird. Come away, O JVlaire Ban — reilim s face is fairy-wan, r eilim s heart is sick and f)ale. Languishing for love of thee. 92 / Love the Din of Beating Drums I love tKe dm of beating drums, Tne tellowing J)i{)e. the sKrieking ni6 : TKe discord and tKe dissonance is my tlood, my breatK, my lire I TKe discord and tKe dissonance is my lire ! Away witK flutes and dancing lutes — SucK music likes tut lovers ears : Give me tKe beating battledrum, TKe gunpeal and tKe cKeers ! TKe bellowing f)if)e and battledrum, TKe gunf)eal and tKe cKeers ! 93 Three Colts Exercising in a Six-Acre Three colts exercising in a six-acre, A nilly sweej) of unieneea grass over the road. What a J)ict\jre they make against tne skyline ! NecKS stretcnea. hocks moving royally, tails nymg ; Farm-laas u^), ana tney crouching low on tneir witners. I nave a journey to go — A. lawyer to see, ana a J>aJ)er to sign in tKe Tontine — But I slacken my J)ace to watcli tnem. 94 The Natural " Lend us tKe loan of a lialf|)enny. sir ! — And Ke passed witK Kis st)len(licl nose in the air. A gaunt, grey carcase or skin and bones. As cold as tke river, as liard as tne stones. To kim tKe KigKway was taole and bed, Skift for tke newborn and sheet for the dead. TKe wind tkat blew from Beola crest Seemed iire to fetter nis wild unrest. TKe rain tKat beat on Kis necK and face, A goad to quicken Kim in Kis f)ace. But sorrow a stef) Ke cKanged, and Kis t)rayer Was still — ** Lend us tKe loan of a Kalf|)enny, sir I 95 On the Top' Stone On tne to|)-stone. A. ni+)|)ing w^ina Dlov/ing. Winter ausK closing m from tne soutn Ards. The moon rising, white ana fantastic, over the lock ana the town below. I take off my hat, salute ker, and descend into tke darkness. 96 The JVomen at their Doors The Daoes were asleej) m tneir craales. Ana the day s aruage was done. And the women brought their su|)j^ers out To eat them in the sun. ** To-night I will set my needles, Ame, And Eoghan will have stockings to wear : I sf)un the wool of the horny ewe He bought at the hiring fair Bvit what IS that sound I hear, Nahla ? — It IS like the cheering of men. God keep our kind from the devil s snare ! And the women answered, "Amen ! Then the moon rose over the valley, And the cheering died aw^ay. And the women went within their doors At the mouth of the summer day. 97 And no men came in at midnignt. And no men came in at tne dawn, And tke women keened ty tkeir ashy nres Till tKeir faces were Kaggard and wan. For tkey knew tkey Kad gone to tlie trysting Witk f>ike and musketoon. To figKt for tKeir keartks and altars At tKe rising of tke moon ! 98 My Little Dark Love My litttle dark love is a wineterry. As swartK and as sweet. I nold : But as tlie dew on tke wineLcrry Her heart is a-cold. I would Ker love were as warm as the lignt That lives in ker eye of grey. And tken my Keart would know tke t>cace It dreams in tke kills away. I would ker love were as warm as tke rosa Tkat blows on ker ekeek of trown. And tken my sunless soul would laugk At tke woe tkat weigks it down. Ske dwells in tke valley, my little dark love. Wkere tke river sings to tke sea. And an ogkam-stone sits by ker door. And nlgk to it kazels tkree. 99 And oft wnen the f)urf)le twilight comeg. Ana trie Duna oats nits m the air. I wander down from the quiet kills To seek my gweetneart tnere. jDut sne comes never — sne loves not me. Nor ever will love. I nold ; For tno my heart is a {)eat oi nre. Her neart is a-cold 1 100 / Heard a Piper Piping I Keard a {>]per t)il)ing TKe blue kills among — And never did i liear So t)laintive a song. It seemed but a fart Of tlie kill s melanckoly : No J)it)er living tkere Could ever be jolly ! And still tke f)it)er f)ij)ed Tke blvie kills among. And all tke birds were quiet To listen to nis song- 101 A Sheepdog Barks on the Mountain A skee^dog Larks on tke mountain, TKe nigkt IS fallen cola ; Tke sKef)lier— O tkat s wkat I get wken Davy s up ! Tke fox IS fast uf)on tke kill. He s wary m tke dale : But I will ride to Penny Mill Before I lose kis tail. X kat brusk was torn to make a eaj) For gallant Eoin Og ; And I will kave it, kang-or-ka{). As sure as I m a rogue, Davy Daw, Davy Daw, for a morning ckase, vVitk an Irisk tlood to make tke f)aee : He s last to ekeek and nrst to view. And kard to tke deatk ke leads kis queue. Day m we kunt tke sf)inney fox. Day out tke raf){)aree ; //is cave is m tke troken rocks Atove tke Correi-tuidke. A skameful tking, tke ladies say, To kunt your fellow-man ; . But follow kim till kard at kay It 8 just tke ladies can! 106 Davy Daw. Davy Daw. tKe brusK is won ! A good jot. sir. our work is done, WKitefoot went lame tKis side o tnc mill. And Im as dry as an old lime-kiln. Red rogue. Ke'll kill his goose no more : Close work it was. for tKe light is o er. Just close work, sir. Lut tKe Dut s close to, WitK a can for me and a crao for you ! Black Sile of the Silver Eye As I rode down to Gartan fair I met a girl uf)on tKe way ; TKe winter nigKt was on Ker Kair. TKe summer dawn was in Ker eye. And O. sKe stet)J)ed witK sucK a gait. And tore Ker rovmd Klack Kead so KigK. And tossed it so. I knew Ker straigKt For Sile of tKe Silver Eye. ** God save you. Sile. love, says I : ** God save you kindly, mvirmured sKe — And love was welling m Ker eye As sKe dro{)f)ed me tKe courtesy. TKe movintam toys uJ)on tKe road Were at tKemselves for jealousy WKen tKey saw Seamus win tKe nod From Sile of tKe Silver Eye. 107 vVe rode togetlier to tlie fair. We aancea togetner on tne green ; And. laitn, tney say a suf)J)ler f)air Was ne er before a -f)ij)er seen. BlacK Sile of tne Silver Eye Has been my wife for twenty year. And still ner sloe-black bead is KigK. And still ner eye is silver clear. And. God be f)raised. we nave a girl. As like ner as like well can be — Tne round black head, tne roguish curl, Tne soft tongue and tne silver eye. God bless tne old, God bless the new. And send tnem stout f)osterity — Old Sile and young Sile, too — Both " Sile of tne Silver Eye ! 108 Dead Oakleaves Everywhere Dead oakleaves everywhere Unaer my feet. Filling tKe forest air With odours sweet. Acorns, tkree. four ana nve. Falling a^ace. Tkank God I am alive TKis day of grace ! 109 A Night Prayer Pray for me, Seacnnal, Pray for me, Mel : oave me from sin AnJ tke cold stone of nell Brigia and Ita And Eitnne the Red, bj)read out your mantles And cover my Led ! For rann and gosf)el Have gone from my mmd. And devils are walking Abroad in tne wind ! 110 / am the Mountainy Singer I am tne mountainy singer. And I wovild sing of tKe Christ WKo followed tKe f)atlis tKro tne mountains To eat at tne J)eoJ)le s tryst. lie loved tne sun-dark J)eof)le A.S the young man loves nis bride. And ne moved among tneir thatcnes, And for them was crucined. And the f)eoJ)le loved him, also. More than their houses or lands. For they had known his J)ity And felt the touch of his hands. And they dreamed with him in the mountains. And they walked with him on the sea. And they Jirayed with him in the garden. And bled with him on the tree. HI Not ever ty longing and dreaming May they come to nim now. But Ly tke thorns or sorrow That truiscd kis kingly brow. 112 The Rainbow Spanning A Planet Shower TKe raintow st)anning a |)lanct shower. Tke sloe in Lerry. tKe flax in flower. TKe scliolar s satcKel. tKe teggar s start, TKe J)lougKman s wKistle. tKe tinl^er s laugK. TKe stranded Kooker, tKe breaking wave. TKe sunrise gilding tKe cam of Meab. TKe strengtK of mountains. tKe swiftness of wind Blowing over tKe leagues beKmd. TKe Kot lit)s sealing tKe spoken word. TKe song in gentle f)laces Keard. TKe wildgoose trum{)eting in tKe tlue, TKe f)ostcar stuck in a drift of snow. 113 Tne bogslide moving, the seaward leaf). The cry, tne townland wkelmed m sleef). The sock on the anvil, tke tKread m tKe loom, Tne Host on tke altar, tKe ckild m tke womb. Tke waysiae murder, tke wkisf)cred name, Tke kanging body, tke kidden skame. And more — il you but listen and look — In tkis, my elemental book ! 114 / Will Go With My Father A-Ploughing I will go witK my fatlier a-t)lougliing To tke green field by tne sea. And tKe rooks and tke crows and tke seagulls Will come flocking after me. I will sing to tke f)attent korses Witk tke lark in tke wkite of tke air. And my fatker will sing tke t)lougk-song Tkat Llesses tke cleaving skare. I will go witk my fatker a-sowmg To tke red field ty tke sea. And tke rooks and tke gulls and tke starlings Will come flocking after me. I will sing to tke striding sowers Witk tke finck on tke greening sloe. And my fatker will sing tke seed-song Tkat only tke wise men know. 115 I will go with my jfather a-reaj)ing To tne Drown nela oy tne sea. Ana tne geese ana tne crows ana trie cnilaren vVill come nocking after me. I will sing to the taniacea reat)ers With tne wren m tne Keat of tKe sun. Ana my father will sing tlie seytKe-song Tnat joys for the harvest done. 116 The Shining Spaces of the South Tke skining sj)aces or the soutn. Tke circle or trie year, tne sea, Xke tlowmg rose, the maiden s mouth. The love, the hate, the ecstasy. The golden wood, the shadowed stream. The dew, the light, the wind, the ram. The man s desire, the woman s dream. The ted embrace, the childmg J)ain. The sound or music heard afar. The hreathmg grass, the broken sod. The sun, the moon, the twilight star — Do all J)roclaim the mind or God. Then why should I, who am but clay. Think otherwise, or answer nay f 117 Like a Tuft of Ceanabhan Like a tuft of ceanabhan Blowing in tke wind Is my slenaer Aine Ban — Wnite ana soft and. kind. Kind ner neart is. tut her clann s Cold as clay or stone. Would tnat I nad nerds and lands Xo take ner for my own ! 118 The Herb-Leech I Kave gatliered hiss At tke wane of tlie moon. And suJ)J)e